Thomas Massie could run for president Representative Thomas Massie has filed candidacy paperwork for 2028, despite a recent primary defeat and uncertainty about which office he will seek. His move could potentially fill a political niche, referred to as the ‘Ron Paul lane,’ which was previously expected to be occupied by Senator Rand Paul. This lane, characterized by support from zealous followers and appeals to a libertarian-leaning base, saw success with Ron Paul in earlier presidential cycles.

• Rep. Thomas Massie filed candidacy paperwork for 2028 after losing his primary.
• Massie is unsure which office he will run for in 2028.
• His move could reopen the ‘Ron Paul lane’ in Republican primaries.
• This lane was previously expected to be filled by Sen. Rand Paul.
• Ron Paul had success in early states in 2008 and 2012.
• Rand Paul’s 2016 presidential campaign did not recapture the enthusiasm of his father’s campaigns.
• The ‘libertarian moment’ peaked around 2014.